Studied by 15 people
Updated before every must-know facts quiz for an eventual total of 180 facts
What did Marbury v Madison do?
1803; gave the U.S. supreme court the right of judicial review
What did Brown v Board of Education do?
Topeka (1954), made public school segregation illegal
Where does each political party fall?
Republicans are on the right, democrats are on the left, and moderates are in the middle
What did McCulloch v Maryland do?
It upheld the elastic clause and the supremacy clause of the constitution.
Did the anti-fedrealists oppose the constitution?
Yes, they did (please remember that)
What did the Declartion of Independence do?
It justified the colonies’ decision to become an independent nation and listed grievances against the King.
Describe how the Hourse of Representatives and Senate chose their respective members.
Representation in the House of Representatives is based on population and representation in the Senate is based on equality. This is a part of the Great Compromise reached during the Constitutional Convention.
Who is the primary author of the US constitution?
James Madison
Why did the Anti-Fedralists eventually agree to support the constitution?
They agreed to support ratification of the constitution after the passage of the Bill of Rights (the first 10 amendments).
What did the Anti-Federalist paper Brutus #1 do?
It argued that a confederation of 13 state governments would better protect the people’s liberty than one, strong central government.
True or False: The Anti-Federalists considered the Bill of Rights a limit on the power of government.
True; the Anti-Federalists considered the Bill of Rights a limit on the power of government
What was the rule to add an amendment to the constitution?
It must be proposed by 2/3 of Congress and approved by ¾ of the states.
What provided the first from of government to the United States?
The Articles of Confederation provided the first from of government in our Nation’s History.
What was the result of Shay’s Rebellion?
Shay’s Rebellion demonstrated the need for a stronger central government than that provided by the Articles of Confederation.
What are the three major concepts of the U.S. Constitution?
Seperation of Powers, Checks and Balances, and Federalism
Who were the three primary authors of the Federalist Papers?
Madison, Hamilton, and Jay
What was Madison concerned about?
Madison was concerned about the tyranny of the majority (masses).
What did Federalist #10 do?
Federalist #10 argued that factions could be controlled in a large republic through separation of powers and federalism.
What did Federalist #51 do?
Federalist #51 outlined the need for checks and balances between the three branches of government.
What does Article 1 of the U.S. Constitution do?
Article 1 of the U.S. Constituion grants Congress enumerated, delegated, expressed, and stated powers.
What are implied powers?
Implied powers are those powers suggested by the expressed powers.
What did the elastic clause do?
The Elastic Clause gives Congress the power to make all laws deemed necessary and proper to exercise its other powers.
Where are inherent powers mentoned in the Constitution?
Inherent powers are not specifically mentioned in the Constitution but naturally belong to any sovereign government.
What are reserved powers?
Reserved powers are those that are held for the states (conduct elections, establish public schools and local governments).
What does Article V of the Constitution require?
Article V of the Constitution requires 2/3 of the state legislature to approve the request for a national convention for a constitutional amendment. Amendments must be ratified by ¾ of the state legislature of state constitutional conventions.
What does the 10th amendment say?
The 10th amendment says that powers not given to the federal government nor denied to the states are reserved for the states.
What is double jeopardy?
Double jeaporday means you cannot be tried twice for the same crime (due process clause).
What does the 5th amendment say?
The 5th Amendment says that you cannot be forced to testify against yourself.
What are the requirements for Presidency?
35 years old, 14 years of U.S. citizenship, and to be natural born.
What is the order of Presidential succession?
The order of Presidential succession is: Vice-President, Speaker of the House, President Pro-Tempore of the Senate, Cabinet members in order of creation, and the Governors of the states that signed the Constitution.
What is eminent domain?
The right of the government to take private property for public use with just compensation (5th amendment).
Interstate commerce and foreign trade
Congress has the power to regulate interstate commerce and foreign trade.
Who has the power to coin and print money?
Congress has the power to coin and print money.
Who has the power to establish post offices and roads?
Congress has the power to establish post offices and roads.
Who has the power to pass laws regarding immigration?
Congress has the power to pass laws regarding immigration
What powers do states not have?
States are denied the power to issue their own money, go to war, or establish a monarchy.
Can the federal government tax exports?
No, the federal government is denied the power to tax exports or favor one state in trade over the other
What are the citizens of each state entitled to?
The citizens of each state shall be entitled to the priveleges and immunities (rights) of citizens of all the states.
What is extradition?
Extradition is the process of sending a suspect or criminal back to the state from which he or she has fled.
How many members does the Senate have?
The U.S. Senate has 100 members (2 from each state)
How many members does the US House of Representatives have?
The US House of Representatives has 435 members (based on state populations reflected in the national census).
How long do senators serve?
Senators serve a 6-year term and 1/3 of the Senate is up for re-election every 2 years.
What are the requirements for being a Senator?
Requirements for Senators are: 30 years old, 9 years of US citizenship, and residency in their elected state.
How long do Representatives in the House serve?
Representatives serve a 2-year term and all members come up for re-election every 2 years.
Who decides the Presidency if there is no majority of electoral votes for one candidate?
If no candidate has a majority of electoral votes for the Presidency, the election will be decided in the House of Representatives.
Who decides the Vice-Presidency if there is no majority of electoral votes for one candidate?
If no candidate has a majority of electoral votes for the Vice-Presidency, the election will be decided in the Senate.
What kind of law can Congress not pass?
Congress cannot pass an ex post facto law (a law that applies to an action taking place before the laws was passed).
What is a writ of Habeas Corpus?
A writ of Habeas Corpus requires the police to bring all persons accused of a crime to be presented before the court to show sufficient reason to keep them in jail.
What does the 8th amendment say about bail and punishment?
All bail fines and punishments must be fair and humane (8th Amendment) (death penalty exception).
Who does the Vice President preside over and when do they vote?
The Vice President presides over the Senate and only votes in the case of a tie.
Who presides over the Senate if the Vice-President isn’t there?
In the absence of the Vice-President the president pro-tempore presides over the Senate.
What is a bill of attainder and can Congress pass one?
Congress cannot pass a bill of attainder (one that punishes a person who has not been convicted in a court of law).
What are the requirements to be in the House of Representatives?
Requirements for Representatives are: 25 years old, 7 years of U.S. citizenship, and residency in their elected state.
What is a federalist form of government?
A federal(ist) form of government shares power with both the national government and the states.
What are concurrent powers?
Powers shared by both the national government and the states are called concurrent powers. (ie…taxes, courts).
What are categorical grants?
Categorical grants are payments by the federal government issued to carry out specific activities (building airports, unemployment compensation, fighting crime).
What are block grants?
Block grants (revenue sharing) are payments made by the federal government for broad programs (community development, transportation development, youth activities) resulting in fewer strings and greater state spending flexibility.
What are mandates?
Mandates are laws directing state or local governments to take action on a particular issue.
What are unfunded mandates?
Unfunded mandates are federal laws that direct state or local governments to take action that has costs to the states not compensated for by the federal government.
What comittee is responsible for tax legislation?
All tax legislation presented to the House of Representatives is referred to the Ways and Means Committee.
Note
Flashcard